St George’s Hall echoed with the sounds of hundreds of Bradford school pupils last night for the first of two “proms” evenings of entertainment.

The annual Bradford Schools Prom, organised by Bradford Council’s Arts and Music service, continues tonight and follows an evening that saw choirs, bands and soloists take to the prestigious stage.

Now in its 13th year, the evening was MC’d by TV presenter David Payne.

The Primary School Chorus, made up of 260 children from St Oswalds, St William’s, Fagley, Harden, Idle, Lilycroft, Bowling Park and Oakworth Schools, provided a huge wall of song while there were also musical performances from the Bradford Youth Wind Orchestra and Bingley Grammar Percussion Group.

There was a solo trombone performance from 15-year-old Jake Jones, a member of the wind orchestra and a pupil at Beckfoot School.

His performance was a repeat of one that won him the Rotary Club Young Musician of the Year district final last month. He is preparing for the regional final.

There was also a dance performance by the Southfield School Dance Group.

Felicity French, head of ensemble provision, said: “This event provides the opportunity for as many children as possible to perform in the most prestigious stage in Bradford.

“Some might not get the chance to perform on a stage like this again. It is a wonderful opportunity to have.”

Coun Ralph Berry, Executive Member for Children’s Services at the council, said: “The Prom is always a well-attended, hugely successful event and we are so proud to host it each year and demonstrate the support which is given to schools and pupils to embrace this talent.”